The Ted Lindsay Award, formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League’s most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players’ Association. First awarded in 1971, it is a companion to the Hart Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the League’s Most Valuable Player, as judged by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. The award was renamed in 2010 after Ted Lindsay of the Detroit Red Wings.
The current holder of the trophy is Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers.
Who Has Won the Most Ted Lindsay Trophies?
Thus far, 30 different players have won the Ted Lindsay Award, with Wayne Gretzky holding the record with five wins. However, his spot at the top is being challenged by another Edmonton Oilers’ captain, Connor McDavid, who just won his fourth title, tying Mario Lemieux for the second most wins.
Deeper Dive
- 3 Reasons Jamie Benn Wins the Ted Lindsay Award
- 2017 Ted Lindsay Award Winner: Connor McDavid
- Edmonton Oilers: Leon Draisaitl Wins Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Awards
- Detroit Red Wings’ “Terrible” Ted Lindsay: Honoring a Lasting Legacy
Oldest & Youngest Art Ross Winners
Youngest to win the award: Sidney Crosby – 19 years old (2006-07)
Oldest to win the award: Jaromir Jagr – 33 years old (2005-06)
Average age: 26-years old
…from NHL Awards Oldest & Youngest
Ted Lindsay Award Winners
| Season | Winner | Team | Win # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson Award Winners | |||
| 1970–71 | Phil Esposito | Boston Bruins | 1 |
| 1971–72 | Jean Ratelle | New York Rangers | 1 |
| 1972–73 | Bobby Clarke | Philadelphia Flyers | 1 |
| 1973–74 | Phil Esposito | Boston Bruins | 2 |
| 1974–75 | Bobby Orr | Boston Bruins | 1 |
| 1975–76 | Guy Lafleur | Montreal Canadiens | 1 |
| 1976–77 | Guy Lafleur | Montreal Canadiens | 2 |
| 1977–78 | Guy Lafleur | Montreal Canadiens | 3 |
| 1978–79 | Marcel Dionne | Los Angeles Kings | 1 |
| 1979–80 | Marcel Dionne | Los Angeles Kings | 2 |
| 1980–81 | Mike Luit | St. Louis Blues | 1 |
| 1981–82 | Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 1 |
| 1982–83 | Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 2 |
| 1983–84 | Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 3 |
| 1984–85 | Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 4 |
| 1985–86 | Mario Lemieux | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1 |
| 1986–87 | Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 5 |
| 1987–88 | Mario Lemieux | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2 |
| 1988–89 | Steve Yzerman | Detroit Red Wings | 1 |
| 1989–90 | Mark Messier | Edmonton Oilers | 1 |
| 1990–91 | Brett Hull | St. Louis Blues | 1 |
| 1991–92 | Mark Messier | New York Rangers | 2 |
| 1992–93 | Mario Lemieux | Pittsburgh Penguins | 3 |
| 1993–94 | Sergei Fedorov | Detroit Red Wings | 1 |
| 1994–95 | Eric Lindros | Philadelphia Flyers | 1 |
| 1995–96 | Mario Lemieux | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 |
| 1996–97 | Dominik Hasek | Buffalo Sabres | 1 |
| 1997–98 | Dominik Hasek | Buffalo Sabres | 2 |
| 1998–99 | Jaromir Jagr | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1 |
| 1999–2000 | Jaromir Jagr | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2 |
| 2000–01 | Joe Sakic | Colorado Avalanche | 1 |
| 2001–02 | Jarome Iginla | Calgary Flames | 1 |
| 2002–03 | Peter Forsberg | Colorado Avalanche | 1 |
| 2003–04 | Martin St. Louis | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1 |
| 2004–05 | NHL Lockout – No Winner | — | — |
| 2005–06 | Jaromir Jagr | New York Rangers | 3 |
| 2006–07 | Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1 |
| 2007–08 | Alexander Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 1 |
| 2008–09 | Alexander Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 2 |
| 2009–10 | Alexander Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 3 |
| Ted Lindsay Award Winners | |||
| 2010–11 | Daniel Sedin | Vancouver Canucks | 1 |
| 2011–12 | Evgeni Malkin | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1 |
| 2012–13 | Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2 |
| 2013–14 | Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins | 3 |
| 2014–15 | Carey Price | Montreal Canadiens | 1 |
| 2015–16 | Patrick Kane | Chicago Blackhawks | 1 |
| 2016–17 | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 1 |
| 2017–18 | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 2 |
| 2018–19 | Nikita Kucherov | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1 |
| 2019–20** | Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | 1 |
| 2020-21** | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 3 |
| 2021-22 | Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1 |
| 2022-23 | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 4 |